Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Time-hopping, sexually-fluid adaptation has brief nudity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Orlando
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Young nobleman ORLANDO (Tilda Swinton) traverses four centuries of history from the 1600s onwards, experiencing broken hearts, creative ambitions, and war, before waking up as a young noblewoman—which brings with it a whole new set of challenges.
Is It Any Good?
This high-concept period piece can be slow-moving at times, but it's brought to life by stunning costumes and set pieces, and a perfectly cast central performance by Swinton. Knowing looks at the camera and humorous asides let viewers in on the poetic fantasy at the heart of Virginia Woolf's Orlando—perfectly paired here with director Sally Potter's fluid approach. The movie follows the story of a nobleman-turned-woman who's given immortality throughout four centuries. It's arty and experimental in many ways, just like its source material, but also anchored in reality with familiar themes of romance, societal norms, and the search for freedom and happiness. Those looking for a clear narrative may lose their way, but for viewers happy to approach more with curiosity and an open mind will find plenty to like here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the central character changes over the centuries in Orlando. What were the different roles the character took on? How did different societal expectations affect their journey?
What do you think of the decision to cast Tilda Swinton as the central character, and maintaining the casting during parts of the film where Orlando presents as male and as female? How did the film approach sexuality and gender? How did it portray them as fluid as opposed to binary?
The film is adapted from a book by Virginia Woolf. Have you read the book? If so, how did the film compare? If not, did it make you want to read the source material? Why, or why not? How did it compare to other movies based on books you've seen?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 9, 1993
- On DVD or streaming : January 1, 2012
- Cast : Tilda Swinton , Billy Zane , Quentin Crisp
- Director : Sally Potter
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Actor(s) , Queer Movie Actor(s) , Transgender Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Classics
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Book Characters , Fantasy ( Time Travel )
- Run time : 94 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some sensuality
- Awards : Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , BAFTA - BAFTA Winner , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee
- Last updated : June 3, 2026
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